Doctor: Filner unavailable for deposition

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San Diego Mayor Bob Filner has submitted a doctor's note saying he will not be at his Aug. 9 deposition to tell his side of the story about a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against him by his former communications director.

A psychologist’s note, obtained by U-T Watchdog, says that “Robert Filner is currently under my care in an intensive treatment program and will be unavailable for deposition...” The note it dated this past Monday, the day Filner told reporters he would begin treatment.

The name of the psychologist in the note is redacted.

Filner was served with a subpoena July 26 to appear at the deposition.

The Aug. 9 deposition would have allowed Filner to answer allegations against him by his former communications director, Irene McCormack Jackson, who has retained high-profile attorney Gloria Allred to press her case.

Allred filed suit July 22 on McCormack Jackson’s behalf, against the city and Filner. At a news conference on Tuesday, she said she expected Filner to attend the deposition.

McCormack Jackson was the first woman to come forward publicly with sexual harassment allegations against the mayor. At least a dozen others have gone public since, alleging various degrees of harassment at the hands of Filner.